Reserving Rooms That Offer Eco-amenities

That`s because the Miami Marriott Dadeland is believed to be the first in the country to offer environmentally-controlled ``healthy`` guest rooms.

Using special air and water filtration systems, plus lighting that`s easy on the eye and energy-wise, the hotel has created ``green room`` havens with special appeal for those with allergies and/or respiratory ailments.

Yet Annette Martiz, the hotel`s director of marketing, reports that even those without special needs are requesting one of the 38 ``green`` rooms that cost $138, or about $10 more than the standard room rate.

Designed by International Business Consortiums Inc., of Cocoanut Grove, Fla., the rooms are proving so popular that other hotels-including some in Chicago-are considering installing them, says Richard Dodd, vice president of marketing for the firm.

Meanwhile, the Miami Marriott is further developing its eco-amenities.

Dodd says the hotel soon will begin using environmental fragrancing to enhance guest areas. Relying on scientific studies that prove a link between scents and emotional and physical reponses, the consortium will begin strategic natural essential oil venting.

``For example, we could target the waiting area with something to relax guests stressed out from traveling, maybe with a nice citrus-floral mix,``

Dodd says. ``Or, in a meeting setting, we could keep people alert with a lemon extract scent.``